Frame structure



Feb. 20, 1962 Filed Nov. 18, 1955 J. L. CONROY 3,021,576

FRAME STRUCTURE 2 SheetsSheet 1 a INVENTOR JOHN L. CONROY ATTORNEYS Feb.20, 1962 J. L. CONROY FRAME STRUCTURE 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Nov. 18,1955 INVENTOR JOHN CONROY ATTORNEYS 3,021,576 FRAME STRUCTURE John L.Conroy, Lemongrove, Califi, assignor to Alsynite Company of America, acorporation of California Filed Nov. is, 1955, Ser. No. 547,791 3Claims. (Cl. 20-11) This invention relates to improvements in closureshaving sliding panels, and adapted to enclose, for example, a combinedbathtub and shower, and relates more particularly to a frame structure.

Prior art devices of this general type are Well known. The provision ofexpensive rollers and hangers has been necessary for proper operation ofthese prior art closures, since they usually include relatively heavyglass fixedly mounted in frames to provide the sliding panels.

In order to provide for adapting a closure unit to openings of varioussizes, it has been necessary in the past to provide separate fasteners,such as angle brackets and screws, fastened into the tub rim itself, forsecuring the tracks in place. These angle brackets and screws presenteda sealing problem, and the sealing means have not always beensatisfactory.

An object of this invention is to provide a sliding panel closure unithaving fixed horizontal tracks and vertical jamb members whichinterconnect at the corners in such a manner that the track members maybe cut to length for installation, and wherein the only requiredfastening means are between the jamb members and the vertical walls ofthe opening in which the closure unit is placed.

Incidental to this invention is the provision of improved sealing meansin the form of resilient sealing strips which are slightly distortedwhen mounted on projecting runners on the fixed track and jamb members,wherein the distortion, because of the particular construction of thestrips, provides a tight fit with the runners on the tracks and jambsand with the walls and tub rim, or other surfaces against which theclosure is installed.

This and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, are attained in part by providing aframe for the tub enclosure unit comprising a pair of vertical jambs anda pair of horizontal tracks. The vertical jambs are provided at eachextremity thereof with slots adapted to receive therein projectingportions of the tracks. The frame may thereby be adjusted to any widthmerely by adjusting the length of the horizontal tracks. Each of theupper and lower horizontal tracks is identical in configuration andcross-section, each being provided with lateral flanges and acentrally-disposed dependent web. Each of the lateral flanges of eachtrack and each centrally-disposed dependent web is provided with guidemeans which provide support and define paths for the two corrugatedpanels which are suspended between the two tracks. The size of the twocorrugated panels is preferably such as to provide a slight overlapbetween the two when they are extended as far as possible, one being incontact with each vertical jamb. Preferably, the corrugated panels areformed of synthetic plastic material reinforced with a filler such as aFiberglas filler. Each corrugated panel is desirably provided with aseries of slots in each corrugation along one face of the panel, theseslots being adapted to ride along an intermediate lateral projection onthe centrally-disposed dependent web of the horizontal track. By properadjustment of horizontal spacing between the two panels, one corrugatedpanel may be placed between one side of the centrally disposed Web andan adjacent 3,021,576 Patented Feb. 20, 19%2 "ice are each provided withat least two parallel projecting ribs on their exterior surfaces. Acontinuous strip of extruded, resilient gasket material is provided,having a longitudinal groove within which a rib may be seated, and onthe opposite face of the gasket strip, there may be provided acorrugated surface which will provide a frictional and resilientengagement between the framing of the tub enclosure unit and theadjacent supporting wall or tub surface.

The invention may be best understood by a detailed consideration of thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the closure device of the invention asinstalled to enclose a combined bathtub and shower;

FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section through the assembly on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the top track and a vertical jamb, showingthe mode of interconnection thereof;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view of the sealing strip;

FIG. 5 b is a sectional view of the sealing strip showing itsrelationship to a projecting rib and a subjacent surface.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in a conventional house structure for whichthis tub enclosure unit is specifically designed, a tub 2 will besituated within a recess within a wall 1. The recess may be morecompletely enclosed by a tub enclosure unit in which the framing memberconsists of a pair of corresponding horizontal tracks 7 and 8 and a pairof vertical jambs 5 and 6. A tight sealing relationship is desirablymaintained between the vertical jambs 5 and 6 and the walls 1, andbetween the bottom track 7 and the subjacent surface of the tub 2, bythe insertion therebetween of continuous, resilient gasket strips 3 and4, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 5a, and 5b. The horizontaltracks 7 and 8 desirably coincide in length with the length of therecess which is enclosed, and both tracks are secured in place byengagement with the vertical jarnbs 5 and 6, as hereinafter described ingreater detail, and as illustrated in FIG. 4. Any suitable conventionalmeans may be employed for securing the vertical jambs 5 and 6 to thewalls 1, such as, for example, conventional screw fasteners 11. H

To complete the closure, a pair of corrugated panels 9 and 10 aresuspended in laterally movable relationship between the upper track 8and the lower track 7. Preferably, these corrugated panels overlapslightly, even when extended to their fullest extent so that the directpassage of air or water is minimized. While the corrugated panels may bemade of many materials, they are preferably of translucent, reinforcedsynthetic plastic. Such panels are quite common today, and in thepreferred embodiment of this invention, the panels are of a polyesterrein-forced with a mat of chopped glass fibers,

and molded at an elevated temperature under moderate pressure. Panels ofthis type are available in a wide variety of pleasing colors, in varyingdegrees of opacity.

The manner in which these panels are secured between the upper and lowertracks is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Since the upper and lowerhorizontal track members 8 and 7 are of substantially the samestructure, a description of one will sufiice. The track member isdesirably of strong, corrosion-resistant material, and may be ofextruded aluminum, for example. Each track performs a dual function as aframing member and as guide means for the panels. Preferably, each track.has a cross-section in the form of an m, in which the middle leg iscrossed. The outer legs of the m are formed by downwardly dependingflanges 12, FIGS. 2. and 4, which flanges are perpendicular to the topof the m. The extremities are inturned to provide projecting toes '13.The middle oncentral vertical leg f the in is provided with lateralprojections 14, extending outwardly on each side thereof to provide adirect support for each of the corrugated panels. Preferably, the outerextremity of each of the lateral projections 14 is provided with anupstanding rib 14a which functions as a knife edge and tends to minimizethe area of frictional contact between the corrugated panels and thesupporting portions of the track. The middle vertical leg of the In isalso provided with an extension in the form of a centrally-disposed web15, which may also be provided with lateral projections at the extremitythereof. The centrally-disposed web 15functions as an additional guidemeans for the corrugated panels and tends to stabilize the path of theirtravel. The projecting toes 13 on the downwardly depending flanges 12serve a like function.

By providing the corrugated panels with a continuous series of slots onone surface thereof, adjacent the upper and lower extremities thereof, asupporting path within the panel may be provided which will provide acontinuous pathway for the lateral projections 1 of each track. Thecorrugated panels, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, may thus besuspended between the upper track 8 and the lower track 7 by anextremely simple form of suspension which eliminates the rollers,hangers, and heavy supporting framing members so frequently found instructures of the prior art. While the corrugated panels 9 and 10 may beformed of a variety of materials, when the lightweight, reinforcedsynthetic plastic corrugated panels are employed, as in the preferredform of the invention, very little frictional resistance to lateralmovement of the panels is encountered. A series of slots 23 in eachcorrugated panel affords an upper and lower supporting area in eachpanel, and frictional resistance is minimized by the provision of theknife-edge 14a on the lateral projection 14 of each track.

As will readily beappreciated from a consideration of FIG. 2 of thedrawings, thestructural relationship be= tween the slots 23 of eachpanel and the supporting tracks is such as to minimize the possiblepassage of water or air inwardly or outwardly, transversely of thecorrugated panel. However, some water will accumulate within the lowerhorizontal track 7, and to promote the return of any entrapped water tothe tub, weep holes 21 are desirably provided in the track. Duringinstallation, the weep holes 21 are directed inwardly toward the tub.

The vertical jambs and 6 are provided at each extremity thereof withslots 17, into which the middle leg of the m of the track may be snugly,slidably fitted. Each jamb is desirably provided with lateral flanges 16which desirably engage the inturned toes 13 of the track flanges 12.Thus the channel members of the jambs are preferably generally of theshape of an n and the legs of the n interfit with or engage legs of them of the track member to assist in retaining the frame in assembly.Preferably, the front flange 16 of each jamb is of greater width thanthe rear flange, in order to enhance the decorative appearance of theentire unit.

Since each track is symmetrical in form, it is obvious that eachcorrugated panel may travel freely across the entire width of the recessbetween the walls '1. Where the corrugated panels are of material whichmay be subject to chipping at the extreme ends thereof, from the hardblows which will occur when a panel is slammed against one of thevertical jambs, it is desirable to protect the exposed ends. This may bedone, for example, by clamping a thin, decorative, aluminum strip 22,around each extreme end of each corrugated. panel.

Tight sealing engagement between the framing of the tub enclosure unitand the adjacent wall and tub surfaces is provided by the insertion ofresilient gasket material between the jambs or tracks, as the case maybe, and the adjacent surface. The preferred form ofextruded,

the preferred form of gasket material, the gasket is extruded in theform of a continuous resilient strip having a longitudinal slot 24centrally located in the upper surface thereof, and a series of notchesor sharp corrugations 25 and 26 on the opposite or undersurface thereof.Each track or jamb is desirably provided with a pair of parallel ribs 18projecting from the surface thereof. The continuous longitudinal slot 24in the upper surface of the extruded gasket is seated around aprojecting rib, and when the weight of the unit is allowed to compressthe gasket, the sharp corrugations on the undersurface of the gasket 3are somewhat flattened. This flattening provides a resiliency in themounting of the unit which is highly desirable in preventing shocks of aphysical nature, and in minimizing the same. At the same time, thecompression of the gasket provides a tight scaling action which preventsthe flow of fluid between a track or jamb and the subjacent surface.

In assembling the closure unit, the advantages of the are to be located.The horizontal sealing strip 3 and the vertical sealing strips 4, of thesame approximate length, respectively, as the length of the tub rim andof the ja-rnbs 5 and 6, are put in place on the projecting ribs718 and19 of the bottom track member 7 and the vertical jambs 5 and 6. Thecorrugated panels 9 and 10 are then slid endwise into the bottom trackmember 7, and the top track member 8 is slid onto the tops of thepanels. The jambs 5 and 6 are fed into the track members a shortdistance, for example, one inch, beyond the location desired. Thelateral projections 14 on the tracks and the sealing strips or gaskets 3are preferably so dimensioned as not to interfere with each other atthis stage of the assembly. A clear mastic material is advantageouslyapplied to the ends of the track members so as to provide a watertightseal at the joint 20 between the jambs is then lifted into place, thejamb members slid into contact with the walls, and fastening means suchas screws 11 are employed to secure the jambs to the walls.

The advantages over prior art devices are apparent, and include theprovision of a simple means for holding the track members in place whileeliminating angle brackets and similar fasteners for joining the jambsand track members, while nevertheless permitting the latter to be cut tolength. The corrugated panels are strong, even though relatively thin,so that reinforcing frames for the panels themselves may be eliminated.The corrugations provide the added advantage that water splashedhorizontally will be prevented from traveling along the panels anysubstantial distance toward the ends thereof.

While described in conjunction with bathtub enclosures for purposes ofillustration, it is obvious that the frame of the invention and thevarious details thereof have utility for other purposes.

I claim:

1. A frame, adapted to be cut to fit rectangular openings of varioussizes along one dimension thereof, comprising a first pair of parallelframe members of substantially uniform cross-section adapted to extendalong one dimension, said cross-section being generally of the shape ofan m having the legs extending toward the opening bounded by themembers, at least one lateral projection on one of said legs, a secondpair of parallel frame members of substantially uniform cross-section,said last mentioned cross-section being generally of the shape of an n,each of said second pair of members having a slot at each end of thesame cross-sectional shape as said leg having said lateral projection,and each of said lastmentioned legs and its lateral projection engagingsaid slots, the legs of the n shape of said second pair of frame membersengaging legs of the m shape of said first panorama members, each ofsaid second pair of frame members being freely slidable along saidfirstpair of frame members, whereby the first pair of frame members areadapted to be cut to any length, and relative movement of said pairs offrame members is substantially restricted to sliding movement parallelto the length of said lateral projection.

2. A frame unit adapted for placement between two opposed substantiallyvertical parallel supports, com prising a pair of vertical jambs ofsubstantially uniform cross-section, each having a slot therein at theupper end thereof, said cross-section being generally of the shape of ann, a horizontal frame member of substantially uniform cross-sectiongenerally in the shape of an m and having projecting means correspondingto and adapted to slidably fit within said slots, the surfaces of saidslots in the jamb being perpendicular to said jambs and parallel to saidframe member so that the elements when juxtaposed form at least threesides of a rectangular opening, said elements being so juxtaposed, thelegs of said vertical jambs of the shape of an n engaging legs of thehorizontal frame member of the shape of an In, the shape of said slotsin the jambs, the engagement of said legs, and the shape of theprojection on the horizontal frame member being such that the jambs arefreely slidably longitudinally of said horizontal frame member, wherebysaid slots in the vertical jambs restrict relative movement between saidvertical jambs and said frame member to movement parallel to thehorizontal frame member, and whereby said vertical jambs are adapted tobe attached to said parallel supports, thus holding said frame unit inplace.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said pair of jambs are slotted in eachend, and a pair of substantially identical horizontal frame members areutilized, to form a rectangular, four-sided frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS767,668 Smith Aug. 16, 1904 1,970,414 Brown Aug. 14, 1934 2,576,840Kessler Nov. 27, 1951 2,622,286 Beck Dec. 23, 1952 2,640,567 PressnallJune 6, 1953 2,679,077 Immel et al May 25, 1954 2,685,110 Hauck Aug. 3,1954 2,748,908 Jacobson et al June 5, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES DomesticEngineering Publication, February 1954, page 54. (Copy in Div. 58.)

